Happy Couple Welcomes First Md. Baby Born In 2016

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) -- As the world celebrates the start of 2016, one Maryland couple is especially grateful. Their son is the first baby born in the state of Maryland at 12:01 a.m.

Meghan McCorkell has more from the happy couple.

That little boy was born at Anne Arundel Medical Center first thing Friday morning.

As thousands of people were ringing in the new year and focused on the Inner Harbor fireworks, Miriam and Josh Nigl were thinking about anything but.

"As the days went on, I wasn't really thinking about the next holiday, I was just hoping he would come," said Miriam Nigl.

You see, their first child decided to make a late appearance into the world.

Little Caleb was due on Christmas Day. He decided to come a week late.

"Just a long labor. Glad it's over, and just real excited," said Josh Nigl.

Miriam was in labor for 44 hours before Caleb was born and says she had no idea he was holding out for a new year.

"Somebody in the room said something about it being 12:01 and happy New Year's, and I was just like, 'Thank god it's over and hand me my baby,'" she said.

The baby was born at Anne Arundel Medical Center--the second busiest delivery unit in the state.

In 2015, the medical center delivered 2,800 baby boys and 2,700 baby girls. That includes 104 sets of twins and two sets of triplets.

They say the average weight of a baby born last year was just over 7 pounds. The largest was 11.5 pounds.

Fortunately, that was not little Caleb, who came in at 7 pounds 13 ounces.

Now the Nigls are looking forward to 2016.

"I guess we think it's cool. Our new life. New beginnings for the year," said Miriam.

A new year as a new family.

On average, Anne Arundel Medical Center delivers about 15 babies a day.

The hospital actually ran a contest to see who could guess the gender and weight of the first baby of 2016. The winner will be announced Saturday.